I don’t follow any racing closely, but think the payouts are for pro level stuff, not the age groupers that make the bulk of the entries.
And I’d wager a bigger portion of that payout is made from sponsorship more than entry fees.
All that is to say I don’t think it is parallel to the Gravel scene events, even these marquee ones.
As Chad noted, the payout is just for pros. And he is correct, there really is very little comparison between the infrastructure of these events.
The bike leg has fully stocked aid stations every ~15 miles, run legs have aid stations about ~1 mile, major road closures in some towns, etc. the logistics of a triathlon are immense…Unbound shifts most of the burden onto the riders themselves.
There’s a few more layers to peel back concerning Kanza. Jim Cummins was a cofounder of the Dirty Kanza. The event grew too big and was sold to Life Time Fitness a few years ago. This grassroots event officially went commercial. Jim stayed on as the ‘Chief Gravel Officer’, whatever that means. The pressure was building to rename the event after the Life Time purchase. Then Jim made a fatal mistake by posting the killing of Rayshard Brooks by police was justified on his facebook account, at the height of tensions last spring.
Life Time now had two problems on its hand. An offensive event name and the facebook post backlash caused by their Chief Gravel Officer, who came up with and defended the name. Life Time killed the two birds with a single stone by firing Cummins and rebranding to Unbound.
https://www.bicycling.com/news/a32935893/dirty-kanza-founder-jim-cummins-fired/
Maybe the name change is a good idea after all. I have been thinking about the name change quite long. First I had a feeling that the race will be polished and more corporate than it was before because of the name change. Then I thought that it is still a 200 mile gravel race and the race will be as hard as before. I think that the last thing you think about at the mile 170 is what the race is called. It’s better not to offend anybody with just a name of a bike race.
It won’t take long to get used to the new name. I just hope that the race has same status as a world’s premier gravel grinder as it has been. There’s not a lot of similar races.
I have been dreaming about racing the 200 miler some year, maybe already next year if it’s possible to travel to USA. This year it is just about getting used to the high mileage.
@mcneese.chad you mean I’m not getting paid big bucks for 3rd place in the over 60s? I’m giving up on training and going back to drinking beer!
Try registering for an Ironman event…$250 is a bargain.
As has already been pointed out, that’s not a fair comparison. You for sure get more support from an IM than you get and UG.
$250 registration is absurd for a self supported race, with big name sponsors and no payouts.
I ride my bike for $0. 
I am not especially interested in the name change issue (I am glad they sunset an offensive name and I’m in support of the new name) BUT I wish they had kept the word “Kansas” in the name. It’s confusing to say “Unbound, you know, what used to be DK, you know, the really hard one in Kansas?”
If they had called it “Kansas Gravel Epic” or something it would be really easy to relate back to DK.
$250 seems a bit high. Comparing to some local events, the Davis Double Century is $120, has no big name sponsors, the 200 mile route includes 7 rest stops (about every 30 miles) and you get lunch and dinner. About 500 people did it the year I did it, really well done event given the size. The DeathRide is about $150 on a 120 mile route with 8 full rest stops stocked by sponsors, 2 water stops, and lunch/dinner. And 70% is on closed-for-the-day state highways. About 2500 people do the DeathRide.
I agree with this approach. If I’m providing my personal support crew, transportation/housing to the event, roads aren’t closed, and it’s $200+, what exactly am I paying for? A tech tee? I have a billion of those in my closet already.
I’ve decided to only do small-time organized rides or make my own rides with friends. The only exception is RPI 2021 since I deferred last year’s and they run a really good race/post-race.
paying for Lifetime fitness to make money
A Podium Chill Waterbottle, a cotton t-shirt, some single use lube packets and a pair of socks.
At least that was what you got in 2019.
Plus, there is still a crap-ton of organization that has to occur…it isn’t like they just wave goodbye to you at the edge of Emporia. Sure, it is not like a triathlon or even a road race, but there is still a lot that goes into it.
Not saying the entry fee is justified…that is for every individual to determine.
I really wish they would break down what things would cost.
$70 race entry is
$10 bike reg
$5 insurance
$20 police
$2 numbers
ect…
Lube?
if I was at the pointy end of a race then my point-of-view would change…
Valid point.
Yeah…about the size of something like a Carmex squeeze tube. Easy to throw in your jersey pocket or pack to relube your chain in the middle of the race…which can come in handy out there when it is is super-dry.